Bridge to Hustle

Life on Ashes To Ashes

Claire’s no Exile

Vexed is back on the beat!

Medium, both super and natural

Open the door to your dreams

Who’s that girl? (350-picture Slideshow)

Wednesday, 4 July 2007

Christmas be Damned!

I originally started this journal just before the launch of, and in order to comment on, the revamped series of “Doctor Who”, back in February, 2005. I didn’t review every episode of the Christopher Eccleston season that year, only “The Unquiet Dead”. I posted about the series, and other shows such as new “Captain Scarlet”, in a more general way. The following year, as David Tennant took control of the console room, I began commenting on each episode more earnestly and have continued to do so ever since. After last year’s supposed Christmas Special, “The Runaway Bride”, I found myself extremely reluctant to write anything about the story. I did, after a few days, put down some thoughts but was dissatisfied with the finished article. It was at this point I considered finishing with blogging. Analysing the 2006 series was, in a way, a depressing experience because I invariably ended up being negative about the programme. I longed to be bowled over by a story, in the way that some of you seem to be by this year’s “Human Nature”, and even had to twist my own arm to convince myself “The Impossible Planet” wasn’t too bad! I still think it’s Tennant’s best story despite a lousy beginning and poor resolution of the multiple cliff-hanger!! I determined to be more positive about the new series’ third year but, little-by-little, I felt the rot beginning to set in again. There’s an old saying goes, “If you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” and there’s something to be said for that although nothing would ever improve without criticism.

Russell T Davies, seemingly, ignores criticism. He doesn’t even acknowledge its existence. He hardly ever criticises his own show. Only once have I heard him say something could be improved and that was the Santa masks in “The Christmas Invasion”. Thus, we had mark-2 Santas inflicted on us in last year’s “extravaganza”! The Executive Producer sings his own praises ad nauseam… This monster has been beautifully redesigned, that pre-titles sequence is the best teaser you’re ever likely to see etc. etc. I wonder who he is trying to convince? Himself, maybe?!! He doesn’t convince me. He seems to believe he is right about everything and I find him so about very little. I don’t believe he knows how to write or make a good “Doctor Who” story. I thought he did, in the early Nineties, when he wrote “Dark Season” and “Century Falls”. Had he, immediately, followed those with “Doctor Who”, things might’ve been different. He has achieved nothing except to tarnish something I’ve always cherished. I’m not precious about the series. I’m fully aware that a fair percentage of the original run was poorly written and cheaply made. The difference now is that Russell’s version of the show tries to pass itself off as something worthwhile. He doesn’t have a clue about what’s appropriate family viewing otherwise sexual humour of the kind in “Love & Monsters” or domestic violence in “Last of the Time Lords” would’ve been script-edited out. He wouldn’t have written these things into his scripts in the first place if he knew what he was doing!

RTD’s disastrous attempt to turn the Master’s character from the sinister rogue of old to repulsive baboon actually makes me feel physically sick in the stomach. Why didn’t someone say to Russell, this isn’t how the Master is. Do you think it appropriate to show an old man being punched in the face who is kept by his nemesis as a “Dog”? These scripted-behavioural patterns speak volumes about the author’s nature, seemingly not altogether that human. Newly-revered writer Paul Cornell, who isn’t going to speak any home truths any day soon, has this to say about last Saturday’s concluding episode, “Phew, wasn’t that great? I refer, of course, to the Doctor Who season closer, ‘The Last of the Time Lords’. It felt, to me, genuinely epic, and emotionally true, and I love the shapes Russell makes of episodes and seasons. John Simm was so frightening, such a monster, that I worried about the nation’s children. And how great was Lucy? Such an acting performance with so few lines needed. Apart from anything else, the story made sense of and completed the character of the Master, and, across the span of all Doctor Who, that really took (some) doing. Bravo!” I worried about the nation’s children, too, but I suspect for different reasons!! So, what of the future? Maybe the comma is in the wrong place and that last sentence should read… So what, of the future? I shall watch “Voyage of the Damned” this coming Christmas, to see how Kylie fares, but not season four, next year, now that Catherine Tate has been cast in all thirteen episodes as the “new” companion. Like the demise of the scarecrows in “The Family of Blood”, the reappearance of Donna Noble is the last straw.

Hi Tim. I agree with pretty much everything you said. However, I'm quite looking forward to Tate's reappearance.

I know that sounds MOST unlike me but despite loathing her in the first half of RB, I actually thought that, in her quiter moments, she was pretty good. People forget that Tate is an actress first and a comedienne second. I've seen her act well in other dramas and I suspect - just like John Simm's hyperactive 8 year old - she was asked to 'be' like some of her comedy characters by RTD. In my view the fault lies with him, rather than her.

Donna is older, which is a plus, she doesn't love the Doctor (yet), which means no puppy-dogging after him, and she's capable of criticising him.

As long as these character points aren't ramped up to the Nth degree I think she could be fine.

The only problem is that they need to give her some good scripts to work with...

I know you're not much of an advocate of the new style series (to put it mildly) but as you probably know I have rather different views to you on that subject!! (Whilst still remaining a fan of the old show too).

However the recent turn of events has been making me question things rather...Firstly I was less than enamoured with "Last of the Time Lords" - not terrible by any means but as a season finale I found it a let down with lots of flaws and felt pretty disappointed with it(more on this soon on my own blog!)

Second the casting of Kylie...well actually I can probably just about forgive this, but it does smack of "casting the celebrity" for Xmas...And to my knowledge she hasn't actually done much acting since her turn as Charlene in "Neighbours". Does this bode well? I'll try and reserve judgement until I see her.

And finally. The return of Catherine Tate as full time companion. No, no, NO!! In actual fact I admire her immensely as a comedienne, loved her show and find her a versatile and clever actress. I found her okay in The Runaway Bride - the character at times was extremely annoying and shrill and was clearly put in there as a comedy element. As Paul says, she was much better in her quieter moments. But as she was a one-off appearance I could cope with her.

However bringing Donna Noble back for the duration of an entire series is just too much. For me, she doesn't seem to have the scope or emotional depth to be a long-running character. And again, I think it's a big mistake casting a well known actress in the role of companion - we deserve some new blood instead! Russell T Davies seems to be turning into John Nathan Turner with his "let's cast a celebrity to up the viewing figures" tactics. Putting well known people in roles does not necessarily guarantee a good show. It's the quality of the writing and charcterisation that counts, not who's playing the part. RTD however seems to have different ideas.

Not only that but I'm now heartily sick of Earth girls as companions - Rose, Martha and now Donna - break the mould, for God's sakes!! It's high time we had an alien as companion (Chantho in "Utopia" would have been wonderful) - it's becoming far, far too samey. It also seems like a backward step bringing back Donna's character - been there, done that! Why not create someone new??! There's enough talented writers on DW to do it, surely...or is RTD the ultimate fascist who has the final say-so?

Right, rant over. Again, being the open-minded kind of person I am I will try to withhold opinions before broadcast. Try to. I'm really rather inclined to feeling the same way as Steve!

Please, please, PLEASE don't let Doctor Who go the same way it did in the 1980s i.e. down the pan due to wrong production decisions. Thinking about it, it's a definite possibility - and look what happened - the show got axed! Dear God, please don't let this happen!!

Well I hope you change your mind Tim - we've agreed a little less than previously over this season, but I'd definitely miss your reviews, if for no other reason than the pleasure to be had in finding another dissenting voice in the RTD worship!

And like Paul I suspect that Ms Tate's portrayal in tRB was a result of a diktat from on high and that better writers than RTD can do much with a slightly older, considerably more bolshie companion (although, yes, Chantho would have been fabulous).

The casting decision makes me feel really sad too, Steve. The sadness and feeling of helplessness, at not being able to influence the choice in any way, followed the anger! I suppose that makes me a bit sad 'cos it's only a television programme!! But, it's like having the rug pulled out from under your feet.

I've seen Tate in other dramas too, Paul. I was relieved that her appearance in "Bleak House" was brief, to be honest, but have also seen her feature more prominently, notably in "The Bad Mother's Handbook" alongside Anne Reid. Unfortunately, her dialogue, from the beginning of "The Runaway Bride", still reverberates in my inner ear!!!

Good to know you'll be blogging again soon, Simon, and look forward to reading your reviews. You probably read my previous post so you know what I think of "Last of the Time Lords"! Worst episode of the season, basically, by a mile!! Contender for worst episode since the series returned were it not for last year's abomination of the Abzorbaloff!!!

Kylie's been in a few films since "Neighbours". She looked good wearing combats in "Street Fighter", which is the most complimentary thing you can say about that movie, but her most prominent role was in "The Delinquents", both some time ago! I hated her when she started out but admit to misjudging her staying power!! She's still making records while others, like Billie Piper (ouch!), have fallen by the wayside!!!

I find RTD to be far worse than JNT in a number of respects. At least JNT didn't impose his own personal agenda on the programme. His sexuality had no bearing on the finished product which strikes me as far more professional. Though, like Russell, he did go in for stunt casting.

RTD seems to be making a habit of bringing back old companions and by the end of the next series he will have done it four times, setting the precedent with Sarah Jane, then most recently with Captain Jack, to be followed next year by Donna and then Martha. It won't be long before we see Rose again! Someone completely new would be nice who hasn't been seen in the series in any other capacity!!

While you don't want the series to be axed, Simon, part of me wishes it had never returned! It's a bit like a school reunion where people have changed, moved on, and you can't really rekindle old friendships as you no longer have anything in common!! And then you face an attack of the Krillitanes!!!

I don't think RTD will ever rethink his "Who" strategy, if you can call it that, Stuart, so my voice is always going to be one of dissention. Trouble is, there isn't much pleasure to be had in being persistently negative about anything. It's better to find something to be positive about and, for me, there's nothing currently in Production on British telly that inspires much enthusiasm! Even "Spooks" wasn't as good last year as the year before!!

Spooks for me perfectly illustrates the law of diminishing returns in V drama - each season has been less good than the last, and last season's finale was the single most ludicrous piece of TV of the year. Very disappointing.

On a more positive note, looking to the future I have high hopes for Ashes to Ashes in the New Year.

If everybody still watches just because the programme is still "Doctor Who" (in name only) then RTD will continue along the same lines. Why does he persist in going against the grain? It will be really hard for me not to watch.

I've never deliberately gone out of my way to avoid watching "Doctor Who" in my life but nothing will change if a stand isn't taken. No-one would vote for a politician they didn't like (unless he was hypnotising them to do so) and the same goes for this Producer unless he changes his policies!!!

A Brief History

I consider myself fortunate to have watched the science fiction television series Doctor Who from the very beginning. I prefer the programme’s early years from which my favourite story is the Patrick Troughton serial Fury From The Deep. I am also an admirer of Gerry Anderson’s puppet shows and successive live-action series, from Fireball XL5 to Space Precinct and beyond! My pick is an episode of UFO entitled The Psychobombs. I am currently addicted to US supernatural drama Medium while, in film, I’ve always adored the gothic horror of Hammer. On first hearing Roxy Music’s Virginia Plain, music, both popular and classical, became the major force in my life, so much so that I gained a BA in the subject from Nottingham University and an M.Mus in composition from Goldsmiths, University of London. Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 In C Minor - The Resurrection and Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring are favoured scores. Aladdin Sane by David Bowie is probably my favourite rock album. Singles of choice are Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes, Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel’s Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) and No More Heroes by The Stranglers.